Operational Level

Lesson 3 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for

First Responders, 3rd Ed.

Incident Priorities
Life safety
Incident stabilization
Protection of property and the environment

Operational Level
32

Assessments to Make
Before Taking Action

Risk to rescuers
Ability of rescuers to protect themselves
Probability of rescue
Difficulty of rescue
Capabilities and resources of on-scene forces
Possibilities of explosions or sudden material
releases
Available escape routes and safe havens
Constraints of time and distance
Operational Level
33

Advantages of an Incident
Management or Incident
Command System

Common terminology
Modular organization
Integrated communication
Unified command structure
Consolidated action plans
Manageable span of control

Operational Level
34

Elements of the Incident

Management System (IMS)
Command The function of directing,
ordering, and controlling resources by virtue of
explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority

Operations The responsibility for the direct

management of all incident tactical activities,
the tactical priorities, and the safety and
welfare of the personnel working in the
Operations Section
Operational Level
35

(1 of 3)

Elements of the IMS

Planning The responsibility for gathering,
assimilating, analyzing, and processing
information needed for effective decisionmaking
Examples: Resources Unit, Situation Unit,
Documentation Unit, Demobilization Unit

Finance/Administration The financial

services established at some, but not all,

incidents
Examples: Time Unit, Procurement Unit,
Compensation Unit, Claims Unit, Cost Unit
Operational Level
36

(2 of 3)

Elements of the IMS

Logistics
The support mechanism for the organization;
provides services and support systems to all the
organizational components involved in the incident
Support Branch Medical, communications, and
food services
Service Branch Supplies, facilities, and ground
support
(3 of 3)
Operational Level
37

Command Staff Positions

Incident commander (IC) The officer at the

top of an incident chain of command and in

overall charge of the incident
Safety Officer The officer responsible for
monitoring and identifying hazardous and
unsafe situations and developing measures for
ensuring personnel safety
Operations Section Chief The officer
responsible for managing all operations that
directly affect the primary mission of eliminating
a problem incident
Operational Level
38

Incident Commander Functions

Establishes the site safety plan
Implements a site security and control plan to
limit the number of personnel operating in the
control zones

Designates a safety officer

Identifies the materials or conditions involved in
(1 of 2)

the incident
Operational Level
39

Incident Commander Functions

Implements appropriate emergency operations
Ensures that appropriate PPE is worn by all
emergency responders in restricted zones

Establishes a decontamination plan and

operation

Implements postincident emergency response

(2 of 2)

procedures
Operational Level
310

Safety Officer Functions

Obtains a briefing from the IC
Reviews Incident Action Plans (IAPs) for safety
issues
Participates in the preparation and monitoring
of incident safety considerations
Maintains communications with the IC, and
advises the IC of deviations form the incident
safety considerations and of any dangerous
situations

(1 of 2)

Operational Level
311

Safety Officer Functions

Alters, suspends, or terminates any activity that
is judged to be unsafe

Conducts safety briefings for entry team

personnel before entry

(2 of 2)
Operational Level
312

Items to be Included
in a Safety Briefing
Hazardous materials incident

Status of the incident

Hazards identified
Description of the site
Tasks to be performed
Expected duration of tasks
PPE requirements
Monitoring requirements
Notification of identified risks
Operational Level
313

(1 of 3)

Items to be Included
in a Safety Briefing
Incidents involving potential criminal or terrorist
activities
Being alert for secondary devices
Not touching or moving any suspicious-looking
articles
Not touching or entering any damp, wet, or oily
areas
Wearing full protective clothing, including SCBA
Limiting the number of personnel entering the
crime scene
(2 of 3)
Operational Level
314

Items to be Included
in a Safety Briefing
Incidents involving potential criminal or terrorist
activities

Documenting all actions

Not picking up or taking any souvenirs
Photographing or videotaping anything suspicious
Not destroying any possible evidence
Seeking professional crime-scene assistance

(3 of 3)
Operational Level
315

Setting up a Command Post for a

Haz Mat Incident
The command post
Must provide accessibility for the IC
Will ideally allow the IC to observe the scene
Needs to be readily identifiable
Note: The command post can be a predetermined
location, a conveniently located building, or a
radio-equipped vehicle located in a safe area

Operational Level
316

Establishing and Transferring

Command at a Haz Mat Incident
The first person on the scene or the ranking

individual of the first company on the scene

assumes command.
The IC of a hazardous materials incident must
have IMS training and be at the hazardous
materials Operational Level.
Command is maintained by the arriving IC until
a higher ranking or more extensively trained
responder arrives on the scene and assumes
command.

(1 of 2)

Operational Level
317

Establishing and Transferring

Command at a Haz Mat Incident
Command can only be transferred to someone
who is on scene.
Command can be transferred over the radio if it
cannot tank place face to face.
The person relinquishing command must
provide the person assuming command as
clear a picture of the situation as possible.
There is only ONE IC.
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
318

Unified Command System

All agencies that have a jurisdictional
responsibility at a multijurisdictional incident
contribute to the process by

Determining overall incident objectives

Selecting strategies
Accomplishing joint planning for tactical activities
Ensuring integrated tactical operations
Using all assigned resources effectively

Operational Level
319

IMS Haz Mat Positions

Hazardous Materials Group/Sector Supervisor

Entry Leader
Decontamination Leader
Site Access Control Leader
Assistant Safety Officer (Hazardous Materials)
Technical Specialist (Hazardous Materials
Reference/Science Technical Specialist)
Safe Refuge Area Manager
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
320

IMS Haz Mat Positions

(2 of 2)
Operational Level
321

Roles and Guidelines of

Predetermined Procedures
Provide a standard set of actions that are the
core of every hazardous material incident plan
Must comply with any procedures set forth in
the local emergency response plan (LERP)
Must incorporate specific regulatory
requirements, such as those required by OSHA
Must be written down and required to be used

Operational Level
322

Requesting Additional
Resources at a Haz Mat Incident
First responders must be able to communicate
the need for assistance through their
departments communications equipment.

Consult departmental SOPs.

Operational Level
323

Using Communications
Equipment Correctly
Radio procedures
Use simple English (clear text)
Transmit only essential information when sending
information and orders
Use appropriate channels to communicate with
both the IC and the telecommunicator
Use appropriate number of channels for the size
and complexity of the incident

Requesting additional help Know what types

of additional help are available, according to

(1 of 3)
the LERP
Operational Level
324

Using Communications
Equipment Correctly
Emergency radio traffic
Make the urgency clear to the telecommunicator
Wait while the telecommunicator gives an
attention tone, advises all other units to stand by,
and advises the caller to proceed with the
emergency message
When the emergency communication is complete,
resume normal or routine radio traffic after the
telecommunicator notifies all units to do so
(2 of 3)
Operational Level
325

Using Communications
Equipment Correctly
Evacuation signals
Broadcast a radio message ordering evacuation
Sound audible warning devices (sirens and air
horns) on the apparatus at the incident scene for
an extended period of time
Broadcast the message several times

(3 of 3)
Operational Level
326

Haz Mat Level I Incident

Is within the capabilities of the fire or

emergency services organization or other first

responders having jurisdiction
Is the least serious incident and the easiest to
handle
May pose a serious threat to life or property,
but not often
May require limited evacuation needs
Example: Small amount of gasoline or diesel fuel
spilled from an automobile
Operational Level
327

Haz Mat Level II Incident

Is beyond the capabilities of the first
responders on the scene and may be beyond
the capabilities of the first response
agency/organization having jurisdiction
Requires the services of a formal haz mat
response team
Examples: Spill or leak requiring large-scale
evacuation, any major accident, spillage, or
overflow of flammable liquids

Operational Level
328

Haz Mat Level III Incident

Requires resources from state/provincial
agencies, federal agencies, and/or private
industry
Requires unified command
Is the most serious of all incidents
May require a large-scale evacuation
Example: Incidents that require an evacuation
extending across jurisdictional boundaries

Operational Level
329

Safety Procedures to be
used on Incident Scenes
Accountability systems/tracking resources
Buddy system
Is a system of organizing personnel into work
groups in such a manner that each member has a
buddy or partner, so that nobody is working alone
Provides rapid help in the event of an emergency

Backup personnel
Stand by with equipment ready to provide
assistance or rescue if needed
Operational Level
330

The Problem-Solving
Process for Haz Mat Incidents
Analyzing the incident/Understanding the
problem
Planning the response/Setting strategic goals:
Action Plans
Implementing the plan: Tactics and tasks
Evaluating progress/Looking back

Operational Level
331

Analyzing a Haz Mat Incident

Survey the scene (size-up) to detect the

presence of hazardous materials, noting

surrounding conditions to take into effect.

Wind direction
Topography
Presence of victims
Available personnel

Conduct hazard and risk assessment.

Identify those clues that indicate the presence
of hazardous materials.

Operational Level
332

(1 of 2)

Analyzing a Haz Mat Incident

Interpret and verify those clues with emergency
response agencies, shippers, and/or other
resources in order to determine which
hazardous material is involved
Use resources such as the ERG to estimate
the size of the endangered area and the
potential harm posed by the material
Use information gained from initial size-up to
determine the strategy and tactics to be applied

(2 of 2)

Operational Level
333

Common Elements
of Haz Mat Incidents
Material or materials presenting hazards to
people, the environment, or property
Container or containers that have failed or have
the potential to fail
Exposure or potential exposure to people, the
environment, and/or property

Operational Level
334

Questions to ask When

Choosing an Appropriate Response
How long will the harmful exposure exist?
What has stressed or is stressing the
container?
How will the stressed container and its material
behave?
What are the harmful effects of the container
materials?

Operational Level
335

Elements of the General Hazardous

Material Behavior Model

Stress
Breach
Release
Dispersion/engulfment
Exposure/contact
Harm

Operational Level
336

Types of Stress
Thermal Excessive heat or cold causing
intolerable expansion, contraction, weakening,
or consumption of the container and its parts
Chemical Uncontrolled reactions/interactions
of contents in the container and the container
itself
Mechanical Physical application of energy
resulting in container/attachment damage

Operational Level
337

Ways in Which a
Container can Breach
Disintegration Container suffers a general
loss of integrity, such as a glass bottle
shattering or a grenade exploding
Runaway cracking Crack developing in a
container as a result of some type of damage,
which continues to grow rapidly
Attachments (closures) open or break
Attachments (such as discharge valves) fail,
open, or break off when subjected to stress

(1 of 2)

Operational Level
338

Ways in Which a
Container can Breach
Puncture Occurs as a result of mechanical
stress coming into contact with a container

Split or tear Failure of a welded seam on a

tank or drum or a ripped seam on a bag of
fertilizer

Metal reduction Caused by the corrosive

action of an acid on steel
(2 of 2)
Operational Level
339

Ways in Which Containers

can Release Contents
Detonation Instantaneous and explosive
release of stored chemical energy of a
hazardous material

Violent rupture Immediate release of

chemical or mechanical energy caused by
runaway cracks
(1 of 2)
Operational Level
340

Ways in Which Containers

can Release Contents
Rapid relief Fast release of a pressurized
hazardous material through properly operating
safety devices, damaged valves or
attachments, or holes in the container

Spill/leak Slow release of a hazardous

material under atmospheric or head pressure
through holes, rips, tears, or usual
openings/attachments

(2 of 2)

Operational Level
341

Hemispheric Dispersion Pattern

Semicircular or dome-shaped pattern of the
airborne hazardous material that is still partially
in contact with the ground or water

Operational Level
342

Cloud Dispersion Pattern

Ball-shaped pattern of the airborne hazardous
material where the material has collectively
risen above the ground or water

Operational Level
343

Plume Dispersion Pattern

Irregularly shaped pattern of the airborne
hazardous material where wind and/or
topography influence the downrange course
from the point of release

Operational Level
344

Cone Dispersion Pattern

Triangular-shaped pattern of the hazardous
material with a point source at the breach and a
wide base downrange

Operational Level
345

Stream Dispersion Pattern

Surface-following pattern of liquid hazardous
material affected by gravity and topographical
contours

Operational Level
346

Pool Dispersion Pattern

Three-dimensional, slow-flowing liquid
dispersion

Operational Level
347

Irregular Dispersion Pattern

Irregular or indiscriminate deposit of the
hazardous material

Operational Level
348

Determining the Size of an

Endangered Area
Resources
Pre-incident surveys
Computer software
ERG

Operational Level
349

Types of Exposure
People
Environment
Property

Operational Level
350

Timeframes Associated with

Exposure and Contact
Immediate Milliseconds, seconds
Short-term Minutes, hours
Medium-term Days, weeks, months
Long-term Years, generations

Operational Level
351

Standard Strategic Goals

of Haz Mat Incidents

Isolation
Notification
Identification
Protection
Spill control
Leak control
Fire control
Recovery/termination
Operational Level
352

The Defensive Mode of Operation

Provides confinement of the hazard to a given
area by performing diking, damming, or
diverting actions
Is selected when one of the following
circumstances exists:

The facility or LERP calls for it based on a preincident evaluation of the hazards present at the
site
Responders have the training and equipment
necessary to confine the incident to the area of
origin
Operational Level
353

The Offensive Mode of Operation

Is beyond the scope of responsibilities for
first responders

Includes actions to control the incident such as

plugging a leak

Operational Level
354

The Nonintervention
Mode of Operation
Allows the incident to run its course on its own
Is selected when one or more of the following
circumstances exist:

The facility or LERP calls for it based on a preincident evaluation of the hazards present at the
site
The situation is clearly beyond the capabilities of
responders
Explosions are imminent
Serious container damage threatens a massive
release
Operational Level
355

Elements of an
Incident Action Plan (IAP)
Strategies/incident

objectives
Current situation
summary
Resource assignment
and needs
Accomplishments
Hazard statement
Risk assessment

Safety plan and

message
Protective measures
Current and projected
weather conditions
Status of injuries
Communications plan
Medical plan

Operational Level
356

Questions to be Asked Before

Committing to an IAP
Are all emergency responders working as

members of a team?
Have all emergency responders been adequately
briefed on the IAP and the hazards of the situation?
Can reconnaissance be made visually?
Can approach be made from
upwind/uphill/upstream?
Can contact with the material be avoided?
Can the vapor cloud, mist, dust, or smoke spread?
Is the risk worth the benefit?
Operational Level
357

How to Determine
if an IAP is Effective
The IC should receive favorable progress
reports from tactical and/or task supervisors.

The incident should begin to stabilize.

Operational Level
358

Operational Level
Lesson 3 Presentation

Hazardous Materials for

First Responders, 3rd Ed.